Mob Bars | Country’s Most Notorious
The Country’s Most Notorious Mob Bars
When Prohibition began in 1919, organized crime took off in a whole new direction, providing alcohol to towns big and small throughout the country. It was a good business for the mobsters, even long after Prohibition ended simply because bars made excellent covers for laundering money. Under the unassuming guise of a restaurant or bar, or a combination of both, mob members could meet for drinks and eats while they planned some rather infamous crimes and murders.
While a great deal of these places are long gone, history buffs will be delighted to know that there are still a few mob bars out there that you can patronize today. Here’s the short list:
The Green Mill – Chicago
Al Capone was a frequent patron of this happening jazz club. You can still sit in the booth he always sat at to this day!
Musso & Frank Grill – Los Angeles
So much history here! This place was an unofficial home for crime box Mickey Cohen and his men during the 1950s. And maybe that’s what drew in a slew of famed writers like William Faulkner and Raymond Chandler to also call it home.
The Fontainebleau – Miami
This gorgeous resort on the sparkling sands of South Beach is still one of the top “IT” places to be seen by anyone who’s anyone but back in the 1960s, many mob guys including Angelo Bruno, Philly’s mob boss, liked to hang out here. Who could blame them?
As for the Fontainebleau. I can speak from personal experience. In the 70’s a friend of mine and his group given the nickname “Black Tuna Gang” by the press. Were indicted and later found guilty on importing 500 tons of weed into the United States over about 16 months. They worked out of suites in the Fontainebleau Hotel. With monthly room chargers of 50k plus. I was told by my friend they even loaned money to the owners, and arranged bulk deliveries to a boathouse. After all it was Miami and it was the 1970s.
Mulberry Street Bar – New York City
Since 1908, this place has been a legend in the heart of Little Italy. You’ll recognize it in quite a few famous mobster flicks too, like Donnie Brasco and The Godfather Part III. Next time you’re taking a bite of the Big Apple, stop in for a cocktail or two.
Anchor Bar – Detroit
Now it’s a big hangout for Red Wings fans but back in the day, this bar was no less popular. It was just more of a hangout for gangsters.
Dino’s Lounge – Las Vegas
This classic dive bar once started as a liquor store. It was owned by a famous bookie, Eddie Trascher, which meant every gambler and shady character rambled on through here.
The Dungeon – New Orleans
The name of this place is quite an apt description. It was a private club with a very exclusive guest list. Only other owners of bars and nightclubs on Bourbon Street could gain entry and at that time in history, most of those people were mobsters.
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